Entry 16: Loving Until It Hurts, The Dalai Lama's Simple Message & My Ego Beat Down

Dear All:
All is very quiet at the moment, chaos feels like it is going to break open at any moment for some reason. The sky is a cloudy dark grey and the wind is screaming across the roof tops. I love the wind but it sure has a mind of its own lately. The tree branches are growing tired of the cold and wishing for the sunlight's warmth. Spring will be here just as soon as it can. 


My research and devotion to learning about the path to peace and love is still maddeningly fun. The simple truths of his holiness, The Dalai Lama are giving me great clarity on where I belong in this spiritual vortex and the tools I am using to "Get Over Myself", sigh. Can we get a trademark here? "Getting Over Myself", hands down is the best cocktail ever. It is better than any pinot noir I've tasted from Northern California's Russian River! That is saying something.


From what I see here in my very small world, there is much to be done in helping others. I suppose it begins with ourselves. To go within for the answers. To go inside of ourselves instead of blaming others, to be mindful of our thoughts and take responsibility for actions. It sounds good on paper, but some days are easier than others, let's be honest. Helping ourselves is the first step to helping others. 


Mother Theresa says it best. In sum she means, keep loving & loving until it hurts, and then there is still love. This is so true! I just love that. The moment I learned that life is giving and nurturing and giving more love that you every thought possible, would bring such profound happiness? (aside from parenting the very bumbly Brady Shaw) It keeps you, dare I say, in balance? Balance is not a word I would ever use to describe my life and here it is. Never say never, right? 


I love Twitter and its immediate gratification. I am pumping out daily tweets (this week lots of Buddhism for some reason) with each cup of coffee, I go go go! Here are some tweets to perk us up:


Twitter/Facebook


"Humility is truly a gift!" - Kristen


"The act of nurturing endlessly is the path to peace and happiness. We are so in the moment of loving kindness, we forget to be empty."- Kristen


‎"Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace."-Buddha


This week is Buddhist intensive with a little bio on the courageous and humble Dalai Lama. Living next to China is not easy. 


‎Bio of Dalai Lama
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is both the head of state and the spiritual leader of Tibet. He was born on 6 July 1935, to a farming family, in a small hamlet located in Taktser, Amdo, northeastern Tibet.  At the age of two the child, who was named Lhamo Dhondup at that time was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso.  The Dalai Lamas are believed to be manifestations of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and patron saint of Tibet.  Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who have postponed their own nirvana and chosen to take rebirth in order to serve humanity.

I find this all very interesting that I have no particular faith. How can I be so passionate about loving kindness and with no formal education or faith? I guess it doesn't matter because its what my heart is telling me. I'm surviving I guess. I enjoy his Holiness's simple way of expressing his thoughts. I find Zen Buddhism confusing for some reason. I have a crush on the Dali Lama in this entry, don't I? He is helping me understand the most meaningful message of all - to be kind. 

"If you have a particular faith or religion, that is good. But you can survive without it."-Dalai Lama


 "My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness."-Dalai Lama

‎"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible."- Dalai Lama

"Getting Over Myself" is hands down the best cocktail ever! In all of my conflicts, ego flare ups, and misunderstandings, I am looking over my shoulder for that ego waiting to take me down. My ego wants me to appear self righteous, self serving and mostly ridiculous! Oh thank god for the "ego beat down" because I need a relief from myself at all times. 


Twitter/Facebook 


"All day long I am dismissing my ego, I'm like, "Beat it."-Kristen


"I get over myself when I do not react if someone I love is struggling and angry. It is their emotion, not mine!-Kristen"


"I am getting over myself today by staying calm through chaos in general and removing my self importance when my ego flares up w/ my family."-Kristen


"Why is it so hard to hear the truth about ourselves? What is so wrong about not being perfect! I am so flawed thank goodness."-Kristen


‎Thank you all for reading in your busy days. Let's try and keep our perspective light while trying to understand why the world brutalizes itself. Are people just hungry and cold out there? Please pray for the children, women, and the animals  as they need hope, promise & mostly warmth. I guess we all do.


 "I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe."-Dalai Lama


With Love and Sincerely,
Kristen